i'm a big fan of solberg from his WDC winning subaru days, he is a character and i'd be sad to see him go like this, his story is kinda similar to Kobayashi's .

Yes i'll be sad to see him go but unlike Kobayashi he is a former world champion who probably past it and was out driven by a privateer in the same car all season (Ostberg) so probably doesnt really deserve one of the few works seats available

What a sad day when someone like Solberg cannot be in WRC next year! A reflection of the sad state of affairs in WRC. If you can't even have 10 top drivers in a series, that series has been going bad for a long time. Anyway, I hope he continues to do something he enjoys next year. WRC is the loser without him.

Yes i'll be sad to see him go but unlike Kobayashi he is a former world champion who probably past it and was out driven by a privateer in the same car all season (Ostberg) so probably doesnt really deserve one of the few works seats available

Petter was usually quicker than Ostberg, but more erratic. He was not outdriven!

Apparently Nasser Al-Attiyah, the M-sport third driver and the man behind the Quatar-backing is a fan of Petter and wanted him in the second car. Wilson probably has som East European youngster with a substantial backing on his hands and prefers money over speed.

Nope, Petter told Wilson last week that he didn't want to pay, and wanted a full season (M-Sport offered Petter 5 rallies for free). Then Wilson asked Petter for more time, to try to get backing to keep him.

I guess we'll see Petter in a variety of categories next year; Global Rallycross in the USA, Pikes Peak (Petter Solberg Engineering has built a prototype) and perhaps LeMans. He did a really good test for Oreca two or three years ago, almost as fast as Panis in his first apperance in a LeMans prototype, and team boss Hugues de Chaunac really wanted him. Petter declined to concentrate on his WRC program. And what about Huyndai?

It's said in Norway that Touring Cars, Le Mans Series, Rallycross and Desert-Rallying is something he have a chance to do.

Petter was usually quicker than Ostberg, but more erratic. He was not outdriven!

So you're saying that Petter was not out driven by Mads even though Mads won a rally (Petter hasnt won since 2005) and scored more points than him?All while driving a customer spec car. Even though he skipped 2 events for financial reasons.With essentially no testing.And never retired/super-rallied due to an accident (Petter had 5 day/rally ending crashes)Are you sure????

So you're saying that Petter was not out driven by Mads even though Mads won a rally (Petter hasnt won since 2005) and scored more points than him?All while driving a customer spec car. Even though he skipped 2 events for financial reasons.With essentially no testing.And never retired/super-rallied due to an accident (Petter had 5 day/rally ending crashes)Are you sure????

Out-driven in my mind is being beaten on speed. Out-scored however.

Though, I seriously dislike Mads Østberg, so I might struggle to keep myself neutral, even though I try.

Next years Rallye Portugal Power stage is meant to be a Marathon 30km+......

Saying that, the whole point of the Power stage is for LiveTV, I didn't see one live at all this year. I'm hoping RedBull/ Sportsmens Group announce something before Christmas..... Even if it's for coverage on the RedBullTV platform. It has gone quiet from them; I trust they're busy, silently working on working it all out.

Next years Rallye Portugal Power stage is meant to be a Marathon 30km+......

Saying that, the whole point of the Power stage is for LiveTV, I didn't see one live at all this year. I'm hoping RedBull/ Sportsmens Group announce something before Christmas..... Even if it's for coverage on the RedBullTV platform. It has gone quiet from them; I trust they're busy, silently working on working it all out.

I just want to be able to watch a well presented programme, with a HD picture & no audio sync issues.Is that too much to ask from the motorsport that attracts more spectators than any other?

Not too ugly. I suppose it's a question of time until we get used and intuitively relate those colours with Citröen.
My favourite livery of the las couple of years keeps being the black Fiestas, and maybe also how Räikkönen's black and white looked on snow.

Also Loeb to compete in four rallies(Monte, Sweden, France and one unconfirmed).

So Citroen will at least win thsoe four rallies. But probably no others if they are leaving it to Hirvonen, Sordo and Al-Quassim. Ford have just missed their chance, although they will doubtless lay claim to any M-Sport victories.

So Citroen will at least win thsoe four rallies. But probably no others if they are leaving it to Hirvonen, Sordo and Al-Quassim. Ford have just missed their chance, although they will doubtless lay claim to any M-Sport victories.

I'd be shocked if M-Sport win more than 1 event.

Actually, I doubt they'll win 1.They couldnt do it with a proper budget so I doubt they'll do it now

Must agree, was pretty impressive. They seemed to want people to join them on their journey in the WRC - and to take the sport to the fans. It just makes you realise the opportunities the other Manufacturers have wasted whilst in the WRC.
They are in it to win - no half measures, no only being happy to take part; like others we could mention. As somebody tweeted, the 21st century has arrived in the WRC.

This is all fun but I'm a little worried what we're witnessing here may be just the start of another domination era by a Sebastien...

It all depends on how good VW will be out of the box, but unless they're very rubbish (which they won't be after all those testing KMs) they'll soon develop and become competitive through their massive budget. The problem is that at the moment you look at Citroen's drivers and whilst they're the best possible you wouldn't be hugely inspired, whereas the rest of the competition are made of privateers M-Sport, uncompetitive privateers Prodrive and a huge question mark over Hyundai. This is a weakened field with VW in a brilliant position to take advantage of it.

If VW are bad, as you say Arnage "they are in this to win" so wouldn't stick for long if they're losing. I wonder if the same doesn't apply to Citroen as well who are used to sweeping everything. So we might end up in a situation where whoever loses pulls out. If it's VW who wins, then which other manufacturer would bother coming in to spend a massive budget just to keep up with them?

Thing is, Motorsport at World Championship level is expensinve – you know that when you enter. Just because it isn’t F1 means you can do it on the cheap. However, if the returns on investment are better – than spending more is more likely.

I’ve got the feeling that sometimes new teams enter thinking it is a ‘cheap’ Motorsport – and can still cut corners – and win. You can’t – do it properly or fail. That means spending money on the best engineers, designers, R&D, drivers, etc
Spending all that money is no guarantee, but you have a much better chance of succeeding. The VW publicity on Saturday was impressive – and showed up previous attempts by other teams.

Among all the guests and previous WRC legends, there was somebody with obvious VAG connections missing – where was Walter?

This is all fun but I'm a little worried what we're witnessing here may be just the start of another domination era by a Sebastien...

It all depends on how good VW will be out of the box, but unless they're very rubbish (which they won't be after all those testing KMs) they'll soon develop and become competitive through their massive budget. The problem is that at the moment you look at Citroen's drivers and whilst they're the best possible you wouldn't be hugely inspired, whereas the rest of the competition are made of privateers M-Sport, uncompetitive privateers Prodrive and a huge question mark over Hyundai. This is a weakened field with VW in a brilliant position to take advantage of it.

If VW are bad, as you say Arnage "they are in this to win" so wouldn't stick for long if they're losing. I wonder if the same doesn't apply to Citroen as well who are used to sweeping everything. So we might end up in a situation where whoever loses pulls out. If it's VW who wins, then which other manufacturer would bother coming in to spend a massive budget just to keep up with them?

/pessimism

One thing some forget is that Ogier was not just beaten by Loeb in 2011, but by Hirvonen too.

One thing some forget is that Ogier was not just beaten by Loeb in 2011, but by Hirvonen too.

As a #1 constantly aided by team orders, whereas Ogier was the other way around gifting positions. A better comparison is how Mikko and Ogier did compared to Loeb as team-mates, I'd take Ogier any day. Most of the points he lost were to crashes and that diminishes with experience, whereas Mikko is that "safe pair of hands", gets a consistent stream of points granted but does not have the same speed at all and won't speed up with experience.

That being said if the Citroen's a little bit quicker and more reliable than the VW, that might be enough to swing the title Mikko's hands. Which is the most likely thing next year. Once VW get their act together though...

2013 will be the best chance for Hirvonen. With Loeb gradually backing off, Ford a bit weakened and the Polo is still unproven. Add to that his consistency and he will be the favorite.

I think it will be between Hirvonen and Ogier. Latvala may have a chance when he stops crashing all the time. Maybe Ostberg can be a sursprise, now that he can test before the rally's.
And hopefully Sordo will finally win an event. At least on the tarmac in Germany and Spain Loeb won't be there.

So, I'm reading that Kris Nissen will lead the Hyundai effort, with Jari Ketomaa as the testdriver!

Ketomaa? Not the first name that would've come to my mind when thinking about someone to lead a works development program... is he still connected to DMack and, if so, does that have anything to do with that (possible) choice?

Thing is, Motorsport at World Championship level is expensinve – you know that when you enter. Just because it isn’t F1 means you can do it on the cheap. However, if the returns on investment are better – than spending more is more likely.

I’ve got the feeling that sometimes new teams enter thinking it is a ‘cheap’ Motorsport – and can still cut corners – and win. You can’t – do it properly or fail. That means spending money on the best engineers, designers, R&D, drivers, etcSpending all that money is no guarantee, but you have a much better chance of succeeding. The VW publicity on Saturday was impressive – and showed up previous attempts by other teams.

Among all the guests and previous WRC legends, there was somebody with obvious VAG connections missing – where was Walter?

Probably driving something fast somewhere... faster than anyone else can make it go.